| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Bernard John Willson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 20 June 1935 Strood, Kent, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 14 February 1997 (aged 61) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Tug | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Left-arm medium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 12 September 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bernard John "Tug" Willson (20 June 1935 - 14 February 1997) was an English former first-class cricketer and Royal Air Force officer.
Willson was born in June 1935 at Strood, Kent. He joined the Royal Air Force in February 1961, when he was commissioned as a cadet pilot. [1] He was promoted to the rank of pilot officer in February 1962, [2] with promotion to the rank of flying officer coming in February 1963, with seniority antedated to December 1961. [3] He was selected to play for the Combined Services cricket team in 1964, making two first-class appearances against Cambridge University at Uxbridge, and Oxford University at Aldershot. [4] He scored 87 runs in his two matches, with a high score of 53 against Oxford University. [5] [6] With his left-arm medium pace bowling, he took 7 wickets at a bowling average of 28.14 and best figures of 4 for 87. [7] He was promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant in April 1966, [8] with promotion to the rank of squadron leader in January 1972. [9] Willson retired from active service in January 1975. [10] He then moved to Hong Kong where he flew for Cathay Pacific and played cricket for Little Sai Wan as well as representing Hong Kong.
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